WEEK 9: Prayer: What s all the talk about?

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1 WEEK 9: Prayer: What s all the talk about? November 5, 2015 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV Prayer is something we all know we are supposed to do. But how many of us find prayer to be difficult, if not downright impossible to pull off? Of course, most of us turn into prayer warriors when something is on the line or we have a problem for which we can t come up with a solution. It s amazing how need drives us to our needs and to God. But is getting stuff from God all there is to prayer? Do our prayer lives reflect a lot of talk, but little in the way of measurable response from God? One of the reasons we lack power in our lives is because we neglect prayer in our lives. The Old Testament saints prayed. Jesus prayed. The disciples prayed. God commands us to pray. So why don t we? And if we do, why don t we seem to get the answers we re looking for? It could be that we don t really know what prayer is and why we re to do it. Take Notes (Teaching): As you listen to today s lesson, write down anything significant that you hear. Be ready to share them with the men at your table during the discussion time Ken Miller 39 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

2 Take Part (Discussion): Sometimes God has a way of speaking through others as they provide insights or different applications from the lessons. As you discuss around your table, write down anything you hear that makes an impact on you. Or if you hear another man share a struggle or concern, write it down so that you can pray for him during the week. Take Time (Prayer): Be sure and leave a few minutes for the sharing of prayer requests. Remember, keep your requests short and sweet. Don t let the details bog you down. We don t have to understand all that is going on to pray effectively Ken Miller 40 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

3 HOMEWORK Homework for week 10 Prayer: A failure to communicate What percentage of your prayers do you feel get answered? To what would you attribute your current rate of success or failure in your prayer life? What kinds of things do you typically ask God for? List them out. Read 1 Samuel 3 What does verse 1 say about the word of the Lord in those days? Why do you think this line is significant? How many times did God communicate with Samuel? What did young Samuel say when God spoke to Him? Who did he think was talking to him? In verse 9, what does Eli instruct Samuel to say if he should hear the voice of God again? What expectation does this statement convey? 2015 Ken Miller 41 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

4 What does God say to Samuel the next time He speaks? According to verse 19, what was a longterm result of Samuel s short conversation with God? Read Hebrews 1:12 How did God used to speak to His people? How did He speak in the New Testament? So what do you think is the primary means by which He speaks today? Read 2 Timothy 3:1617 Where does Scripture come from? What is it good for? How have you seen this proven true in your own life? Give examples. Read the following quote: The power of our prayers, then, lies not primarily in our effort and striving, or in any technique, but rather in our knowledge of God. Tim Keller, Prayer How would a proper knowledge of God impact your prayer life? How could an improper or insufficient knowledge of God negatively influence your prayer life? 2015 Ken Miller 42 Momentum a ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

5 WEEK 9: Prayer: What s all the talk about? What is prayer? What the Bible says: Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 ESV The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 ESV And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 ESV See Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 4:3; 5:16 We know that Jesus prayed Luke 6:12 The Old Testament saints prayed Psalm 90:1; 86:12; Genesis 20:17; 1 Kings 3:9; Jer. 10:2324 We know how past believers felt about prayer I have so much to do that if I didn't spend at least three hours a day in prayer I would never get it all done. Martin Luther Fifteen days have elapsed since I wrote the preceding paragraph. Every day since then I have continued to pray about this matter, and that with a goodly measure of earnestness, by the help of God. George Mueller A minister may fill his pews, his communion roll, the mouths of the public, but what that minister is on his knees in secret before God Almighty, that he is and no more. John Owen God does nothing except in response to believing prayer. John Wesley Faith in a prayerhearing God will make a prayerloving Christian. Andrew Murray In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart. John Bunyan Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. E. M. Bounds 2015 Ken Miller Momentum, A ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church

6 I have seen many men work without praying, though I have never seen any good come out of it; but I have never seen a man pray without working. Hudson Taylor What prayer is NOT Prayer is not magic Prayer is not about getting what you want Prayer is not a burden Prayer is not a guarantee against suffering Prayer is not a measure of our spirituality Prayer is not a monologue Prayer is not optional What prayer is Prayer is honest and real Lamentations 5:20; Job 30:20 Prayer is ultimately Godfocused Jeremiah 32:17; Psalm 25:45 Prayer is expectant 2 Samuel 7:29; Psalm 4:3 Prayer involves risk Ezra 9:15; Psalm 139:2324 Prayer illustrates dependence Psalm 145:1516; Acts 4:2930 Prayer necessitates listening 1 Samuel 3:10; Jeremiah 33:3 Prayer requires patience Psalm 130:56; Micah 7:7 Prayer is a personal, communicative response to the knowledge of God. Tim Keller, Prayer It begins with a knowledge of God o It s hard to talk with someone you don t know well o A limited understanding of God will lead to a limited prayer life o That knowledge is to be experiential, not cerebral It s a response o We respond to an understanding of His love for us o We respond to a knowledge of His holiness and our own sinfulness o We respond to an awareness of His power and our weakness o We respond to a sense of His wisdom and our ignorance It s personal o There should be an intimacy involved o That comes from knowing Him! Knowing He loves us! Knowing He is merciful and gracious toward us! Knowing He offers forgiveness to us! Knowing He knows us It s communicative o Communication is twoway, not one way o Prayer involves the sharing of information both ways o It s intended to produce a growing understanding 2015 Ken Miller Momentum, A ministry of Christ Chapel Bible Church